STEWARDS’ REPORT 

Australian Turf Club

CANTERBURY PARK RACECOURSE

Friday, 28 February 2020

Weather:                   Fine

Track:                       Good (4)

Rail:                          +3m

Penetrometer:          4.3

STEWARDS:   W R Birch (Chairman), T P Moxon, J J E Earl, C L Albrecht and cadets T J Hansen and B J Pearce

                                                                                                                                                      (alm)

RACE 1 – TAB Venue Mode Handicap 1100m

Spicy Restaurant – the colt, which was factious in the barrier, lowered its head as the started was effected and as a result began very awkwardly.  Laid out rounding the home turn.  A post race veterinary examination revealed a the colt to have lost its off fore plate.

Salateen – began only fairly and was then bumped by Xylaroo shortly after the start.  When asked for an explanation as to whether there was an opportunity to allow his mount to progress forward leaving the 700m to race directly to the outside of Castlecomer and thereby preventing Xylaroo from shifting outwards, rider T Berry stated that Salateen overraced in the early stages and whilst he considered improving forward, he was concerned that if he asked the filly to improve, it would continue to overrace.  He added that he did not foresee Xylaroo shifting from the rail to a one off position through this section of the race as Xylaroo was trailing more favoured runners when racing on the rail.  As a result of the shift from Xylaroo, Salateen was taken wider passing the 600m and raced three wide and without cover from that point.

Xylaroo – on jumping had to be checked when crowded between Salateen and Spicy Restaurant, which shifted out.  Was taken wider on the home turn when Spicy Restaurant had a tendency to lay out.

I Am Swerving – began only fairly and shortly afterwards was eased when awkwardly positioned on the heels of Dubai Star.  From a wide barrier was then shifted behind runners in the early stages.  When asked for an explanation regarding his riding rounding the home turn and whether there was an opportunity to improve to the outside of Castlecomer sooner than he did, rider B Avdulla stated that leaving the 450m, an opportunity to improve to the outside of Castlecomer did develop, however he was reluctant to improve as this would have placed him in a trailing position behind the outsider of the field, Spicy Restaurant.  He therefore decided to remain trailing Castlecomer until an opportunity to trail Jerle into the race became available leaving the 400m.

Castlecomer – bumped on jumping by Jerle.  H Bowman reported that he was satisfied with the performance of Castlecomer and believed the colt would gain a fitness benefit from today's race.  A post race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.

Jerle – laid out rounding the home turn.

Close To Me – when asked for an explanation regarding the disappointing performance, rider J McDonald stated that whilst the filly overraced outside the leader in the early and middle stages, he was disappointed with the manner in which Close To Me closed its race off.  A veterinary examination revealed the filly to be displaying a poor post race recovery.  Co-trainer Mr Paul Snowden advised that it would be the stable’s intention to have the filly ridden more conservatively at its next race start.  Mr Snowden was advised that a veterinary clearance would be required prior to the filly being permitted to race or barrier trial.

RACE 2 – Vinery Yearlings Handicap 1200m

Quiet Riot – the colt, which became fractious in the tie up stalls, kicked out and was found to be lame in the off hind leg was a late scratching at 6.30pm.  The Stewards ruled that all monies invested on Quiet Riot be refunded in full and that all successful wagers made prior to 6.30pm be subject to the following deductions in the face value of each ticket:

1^st  Electric Girl            30 cents win, 27 cents place

2^nd Juan Diva              24 cents place

Stable representative Mr S McLean was advised a veterinary clearance will be required prior to the horse racing or barrier trialling again.  

Joliette – slow to begin.  On several occasions, approaching and passing the 700m, had to be steadied from the heels of Warfare.  Laid out under pressure in the home straight.

Aesop’s Fable – shifted out on jumping and from the outside barrier was then shifted behind runners in the early stages.

Electric Girl – began awkwardly.  Overraced in the early stages.

Juan Diva – passing the 400m, faltered and became unbalanced.  Shifted outwards under pressure over the concluding stages.

Warfare – held up behind Juan Diva in the early part of the straight and near the 200m was disappointed for a run between Juan Diva and Electric Girl when both horses shifted ground.  Was then obliged to shift wider on the track to secure clear running near the 150m.

Steel Diamond – a post race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.

RACE 3 – Lonhro @ Darley Handicap 1550m

Budderoo Knight – began awkwardly and lost ground.  Approaching the 1000m was allowed to stride forward whereby the gelding assumed a position outside the leader, Assault 'N' Bathory, approaching the 700m.

Austria – slow to begin.  Held up approaching and rounding the home turn and was unable to improve.  Inside the 100m had to be checked when tightened for room between Salsa Man and Nordic Lover (G Schofield), which after attempting a run where there was insufficient room between Austria and Aristograts, was taken out by Aristograts.  G Schofield was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.

Salsa Man – slow to begin.

Olympic Legend – passing the 800m, shifted out and bumped Budderoo Knight.  Held up rounding the home turn and leaving the 350m, improved to the inside of Assault 'N' Bathory when there was insufficient room and had to be steadied.  Was then held up on the heels of that runner until securing clear running leaving the 200m.

Aristograts – passing the 700m was taken out when Austria shifted out to improve.  Was then obliged to race three wide without cover for the remainder of the race.

Nordic Lover – held up from leaving the 400m until passing the 100m at which time he had to be checked after attempting a run where there was insufficient room between Aristograts and Austria and was unable to be tested thereafter when held up behind Aristograts.  When asked if there was an opportunity to shift to a one off position approaching the 1000m to avoid being covered by Yonkers, rider G Schofield stated that he had considered moving to a one off position as the field entered the back straight, however he was of the view that the pace was genuine at this point of the race and he did not believe it to be in the gelding's best interest to move it from a position on the rail to a position one off without cover. 

RACE 4 – The Agency Real Estate Handicap 1900m 

Shake On It – from the outside barrier was shifted behind runners in the early stages, however was obliged to race wide and without cover throughout the event.

Azarmin – began awkwardly, lost ground and then was crowded by Frenzied, which shifted out.  Held up approaching and rounding the home turn and was unable to secure clear running at any time in the home straight and as a consequence, went to the line without being fully tested.  J Morris, rider of Notabadharada, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding under AR131(a) in that he permitted his mount to shift out passing the 300m resulting in Azarmin having to be checked from the heels of Notabadharada.  J Morris’ licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of commence on Thursday, 5 March 2020 and to expire on Thursday, 12 March 2020 on which day he may ride again. 

Frenzied – was bumped on jumping by Happy Candy which shifted out.

Parry Sound – was crowded on jumping by Ivira, which shifted out.

Impactful – from a wide barrier was shifted behind runners in the early stages.  Between the 300m and approaching the 200m had to be continually shifted wider on the track to secure clear running.

Happy Candy – was reluctant to shift to the outside of the heels of Blast in the early part of the straight and passing the 200m, was momentarily held up for clear running when awkwardly placed between Blast and Parry Sound.  

RACE 5 – Phil Gilbert Kia Handicap 1900m

Impavido – stood flat footed as the start was effected and lost considerable ground (5L).  A post race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame (2/5) in the near fore leg.  Stable representative Mr S McLean was advised a veterinary clearance would be required prior to Impavido having to barrier trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards.

Chief Kidder – began only fairly and shortly after the start was checked when crowded between Dark Confidant and Dambulla, which began awkwardly and shifted out.

Surjin – began awkwardly and from a wide barrier was then shifted behind runners in the early stages.  Approaching the finish line was bumped by Dark Confidant when that horse shifted out away from Power Lift.  A post race veterinary examination revealed Surjin to have lost its off fore plate.

Seeingisbelieving – began awkwardly.

Dark Confidant – from a wide barrier was shifted behind runners in the early stages.

Chief Kidder – overraced in the middle stages.

Dambulla – rounding the home turn had to be steadied when tightened for room between Seeingisbelieving and Power Lift, which shifted out to improve.

RACE 6 – Mirvac Handicap 1250m

Defeat – was a late scratching at 8.44pm on veterinary advice when the gelding was found to be lame in the off foreleg.  The Stewards ruled that all monies invested on Defeat be refunded in full and that all successful wagers made prior to 8.44pm be subject to the following deductions in the face value of each ticket:

1^st  Knickpoint             4 cents win, 3 cents place

2^nd Crafty Tycoon        10 cents place

3^rd Isorich                    9 cents place

Trainer Mr T Bartley was advised a veterinary clearance would be required prior to Defeat being permitted to race or barrier trial.

Rock Dove – slow to begin.

Crafty Tycoon – began awkwardly and from the outside barrier was shifted behind runners in the early stages.

Sanctioned – began only fairly.  When placed under pressure in the straight, hung in and proved difficult to ride out.  A post race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be lame (5/5) in the near fore leg.  Trainer Mr D Pfieffer was advised that a veterinary clearance will be required prior to Sanctioned being permitted to race or barrier trial again.  The Stewards will follow up on the future race plans for the mare.

Isorich – passing the 500m, was taken wider on the track when Knickpoint shifted out around the heels of Super Ex to improve.

RACE 7 – Kia Sprint Series Final 1100 m

Buckin’ Beauty – the mare, which slipped behind in the mounting enclosure, was examined behind the barriers by the Club's Veterinary Officer and deemed suitable race.

Sir Donald – began awkwardly and lost ground.

Dunbrody Power – from a wide barrier was shifted behind runners in the early stages.  Shortly after entering the home straight was held up and had to be steadied from the heels of Revenire when that horse shifted out.  Leaving the 100m had to be steadied from the heels of Buckin’ Beauty when that horse shifted out and inside the final 50m, was unable to be tested when racing in restricted room between Buckin’ Beauty and Revenire..

Perigord – began awkwardly.

Wimlah – began awkwardly.  Raced wide and without cover throughout the event.  Leaving the 50m, had to be steadied and became unbalanced when Sir Donald shifted out.  J Innes, rider of Sir Donald, was reprimanded. 

Knictock – raced wide and without cover until approaching the 600m.

Revenire – held up rounding the home turn and passing the 100m, had to be shifted to the inside of Intrepidacious after becoming awkwardly placed on the heels of that filly.  Approaching the finish line, when being corrected by its rider, became awkwardly placed on the heels of Intrepidacious.

Monte Ditto – trainer Mr D Pfieffer was fined $100 under AR106(1) for presenting the horse to race in the incorrect gear.

RACE 8 – Sky Racing Active Handicap 1200m

Kawaikini – slow to begin.  Held up rounding the home turn.

Soul Star – slow to begin.  Taken wider rounding the home turn.

Dorothy Of Oz – crowded on jumping between Clairvue Missy and Miss Scorcher, which shifted in.

Verlan – began only fairly.  Unable to secure clear running in the early part of the straight.

Got Your Six – when asked to explain the poor performance, rider R King stated that the mare travelled well throughout the early and middle stages, however was under pressure in the early part of the straight and commenced to tire inside the 200m.  A post race veterinary revealed no abnormalities.  Co-trainer Mr A Bott undertook to report back on the post race condition of the mare.

Turnstyle – when asked to explain the disappointing performance, rider H Bowman stated that he was obliged to ride the filly with urgency in the early stages to obtain a position closer to the running rail from its wide barrier.  He added after having found the lead, Turnstyle refused to settle and in his view, this was the principal factor in its poor performance.  A post race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.  Despite the comments of H Bowman, and having regard for the overall performance of the filly, stable representative Mr S McLean was advised that Turnstyle will be required to barrier trial before being permitted to race again. 

GENERAL: 

Summary of whip use

The Stewards noted the following rider exceeded the permitted strikes of the whip prior to the

100m under AR132(7)(a)(ii):

Bearing in mind the totality of whip use, no action was taken.

Swab samples were taken from all winners and the following runners:

Race 1:  Dubai Star, Castlecomer, Close to Me, I Am Swerving.

Race 2:  Quiet Riot, Juan Diva (2), Steel Diamond.

Race 3:  Assault ‘N’ Bathory, Yonkers, Austria, Aristograts.

Race 4:  Frenzied, Bediere, Happy Candy, Impactful.

Race 5:  Impavido, Surjin, Dark Confidant, Seeisbelieving.

Race 6:  Sanctioned, Super Ex, Knickpoint, Crafty Tycoon.

Race 7:  Dunbrody Power, Intrepidacious, Sir Donald, Perigord.

Race 8:  Got Your Six, Miss Scorcher.